Graveyard Everlasting (Blogophilia 35.10)

In an old cemetery on the outskirts of town, a buried couple is resting contently. From time to time, their conversation is heard through the light breeze.

“A lovely night, Mary.” The man had a low nasally voice. “Air crisp with the coming cold. Look at the magical colors in the leaves. And the moon, when have we seen it so full?”

A birdlike voice replied. “It’s beautiful, Liam, so full and illuminating. Almost like our first night together, remember?”

A small chuckle. “Halloween and you were dressed as a the good witch, all in white.”

“And you were the Vampire, ready to bleed me blue.” She turned toward her husband. “You asked for my hand and I gave you my heart. Mmm...such a wonderful night.”

They gazed contently over the field. Liam turned to his mate.

“Mary, may I say I've never wanted another woman?”

“You are still so sweet.” She paused, “I certainly never needed another man. Even old, you were clever and reliable. I'm so thankful we died in each other's arms. I was 87 and you were 89 and I still looked at you like the stars that shine even tonight. But I wonder?”

"What's that, Love?"

"If those above realize we still hold hands."

With a wink. “Like the Cialis commercial?"

There was a long trill.

"Haha, Yes. I can still turn and see your lovely smile over the edge of my box. Our own version of heaven.”

A rustling came from beyond the edge of the brush. Mary whispered.

“I hear something. I hope it isn't that young couple again."

"But that was fun.” Liam said with a smirk. “Didn't it remind you of us?"

"A little too much. They certainly didn’t leave anything to the imagination."

"Neither did we. Consider it karma for our engagement night."

"Hahahahahah.” She twittered. “You’re right. We never did let our love be secret. But I wonder if old Martin was as aware of our tossing over his grave?"

"He was jealous."

"Oh, stop it, Silly”

They fell silent as a boy and girl emerged from the woods. He had ginger hair topped with a jesters cap and dressed almost formally in a blue cutaway coat with a party striped cummerbund over a matching set of trousers. She wore a long black dress that complimented her ample body and a small pointed hat perched over flowing blond curls.

“Shhh! It IS them.” Mary shifted up as much as she could. “That's a lovely dress she has on."

Liam joined her. "If it is like last time, it won't be there long."

The bony point of the elbow missed his rib cage.

"You really are a dirty dead man.” Turning her attention back to the couple. “ Mmm... He is a nice hunk, though. Like you were at his age."

"Thank you, Love. I kind of miss that."

"Oh, I do, too. But time does go on. Let’s see what happens.”

A small wicker basket was set on the foot-stone. Opening it, the young woman pulled a wool blanket and spread it just beyond the old couple’s final resting place. But It had not settled when passion took over. The coat and cummerbund soon lay on the grass. Buttons loosened one by one as her ruby lips followed.

“Say, it looks like she's taking the lead tonight.” Mary’s bony hand drifted over to her mates lap.

The fire between them warmed the chill of the evening. Hats released their hair, sending it flowing across bare shoulders. Trousers drifted downstream followed by the black dress, forming a pool of fabric at their feet.

Ooh, Love, he looks like you in other places, too!” The old woman squealed. “Why I believe this is our great-grandson, Harry. Didn't he grow up to be a handsome lad.”

Ginger Head explored quivering pastel mountains while hands sought soft peaks. Sighs and the scent of flowers surrounded the scene.

"And he's got my good taste in ladies, if I do say so myself." as he slipped his arm over Mary’s shoulder.

"Thank you, Dear. They really do look like us back then" She said with a wink. “Makes me want to join them"

Suddenly, the girl stopped and pulled back from her lover, putting a hand over her naked breasts.

The boy looked puzzled.

"What's wrong, Amy?"

“Harry, do you hear something?"

Slowly, the blond curls turned toward the headstone.

"It sounds like an old couple talking. Talking about us."

The boy sat up, looking like half dressed clown he was. The sweat of their efforts flowed across his belly, dampening the waistband of his boxers. It mattered not a whit. Reaching behind him, he produced a small box. With a grin, he got on one knee.

"That may be Great-Grandma Mary and Great-Grandpa Liam. I didn’t realize it the first time we came back here, but this is their grave.The family story was he proposed to her in a cemetery on Halloween and my Grandmother came soon after.”

He opened the box.

“I wonder if..."

Moonlight reflected from the ring onto their faces. The beseeching look came as it slipped on her finger was answered by a beatific smile. Pulling his face up to hers she looked deep into his starry eyes and completed the sentence.

"...they are watching?"

A deep kiss followed as her hand circled slowly over his bare chest.

"I believe they approve.” She kissed him again. “Harry O’Reardon, you are the most wonderful man I have ever known. I love you. The answer is YES! I want to be your wife forever."

Harry and Amy hands clasped together. Two bony hands rose from the ground on each side and embraced the young couple in benediction and love. There was no recoil at the cold hardness, for they knew it was the spirit of their love. The last of the cloth vanished. And as their bodies melded into one, supplications to life echoed off the stones and filled the forest with their joy. They were all free.

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The next year, the old couple were still at their place holding hands. The darkening indigo sky welcomed the Harvest moon. Soon, the memory of the prior year came to them. They smiled.

“Oh, Liam Love.” Mary whistled. “It has been a year. I do wonder how Harry and his Bride made out.”

Liam sighed. “I’m sure they are…: He paused “Wait...I hear something.”

As soon as the words left him, Harry and Amy emerged from the woods. Time had transformed the children into striking adults. Dressed in common working clothes, they were no less joyful than before. In her arms was their newborn son, suckling contently. Liam and Mary’s souls filled with pride.

He was carrying the wicker basket and set it down in front of the grave. With a flourish, the wool blanket was spread and a banquet served in front of the double stone. Two glasses of wine were poured and set in front of the grave. Harry then poured two more for him and his bride. Smiling, with chalices held high, Harry spoke first.

“Mary and Liam, we wanted to come by today. It is the anniversary of our engagement and we thank you from our hearts for overseeing it.”

They both drank deeply. Amy leaned over with the baby and kissed the stone. Together they introduced him.

“This is Liam Charles. We named him for you, Sir. Our prayers to life were answered with your undying love. Your embrace still is with us. May you, and all of us, be blessed for all eternity. And may the same loving spirit follow our son throughout his life.”

They finished the wine and Harry kissed his bride again, one hand in hers, with the other on his son’s soft head. When they turned back to headstone, the glasses on the stone were empty. And they saw the bony hands locked in their own embrace. The fire was warm coals, banked for the long haul.

What was asked would be done forevermore.

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Topic-Colleen Keller Breuning

Pic-Dahlia Ramone

Pic Guesses: Pastel mountains (in blog), Soft peaks (in blog), Peaked prism. Magical colors. Fire on the mountain, Paradise.